Twitter has spoken on the Autumn Statement, and it’s not impressed [TWEETS]

Chancellor Philip Hammond has delivered his Autumn Statement. It included a gaping black-hole in the budget, a “plan” for affordable housing, and changes to taxation. The reaction on Twitter is almost certainly not what the Chancellor was hoping for.

The economy

Financial statements explain how well the economy is doing now and how well it’s expected to do in future. And unfortunately for the Chancellor, the verdict was not good:

Affordable housing

There was also criticism for the affordable housing plans. But while Hammond’s announcement on scrapping letting agents’ fees was welcomed, Twitter users were scathing about his decision to spend £7.6m on a stately house.

Sickens me that there's so much poverty in Barnsley & surrounding areas but Hammond only has money for a coal baron's house #AutumnStatement

Tax

One of the plans championed by Hammond is the cutting of corporation tax to 17%. As a result, UK corporation tax will be the lowest out of any G20 country. But as Twitter users pointed out, this will do very little to help people:

Cuts to disability benefit at same time as cuts to corporation tax & increasing tax threshold for the elite – scandalous #AutumnStatement

Living wage

Hammond also introduced a rise in the minimum wage from £7.20 to £7.50 per hour. And while the government likes to pretend this is a ‘living wage’, it was pointed out that this doesn’t mean it is a living wage.

Note to Tories: You can't make up a random amount of money and call it the Living Wage. It isn't. #AutumnStatement

These announcements should not come as a surprise from a government that prioritises the rich getting richer over essential services or supporting the most vulnerable in society. But not only have the cuts punished the poorest, they haven’t even achieved their stated aim of boosting the economy.

This government will not do anything to help the poor. It will not improve our services. But it willsell them off to the highest bidder. And we all need to take action before things get even worse.

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